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The morning sun was just beginning to peek over the horizon, casting its golden light across the agricultural sub-island of Pyraxia. Xpovac and Black Maria walked side by side, taking in the sights as the day began. This sub-island, a place of unparalleled abundance, was home to some of the world's most desired natural resources and foods—everything from rare medicinal herbs to exotic fruits, coveted spices, and nutrient-rich crops. It was a cornerstone of Pyraxia's economy and a testament to the kingdom's self-sufficiency.
Xpovac's boots crunched over the gravel path as he and his queen strolled through rows upon rows of flourishing greenery. They inspected every section of the island methodically, making notes on the condition of the resources and the surrounding facilities. Each crop, tree, and medicinal plant needed to be assessed to ensure it met the high standards Xpovac demanded for his kingdom. The work was arduous and time-consuming, taking a full five hours with just the two of them. When they finally finished, the sun was high in the sky, and sweat glistened on their foreheads.
"That should do it," Xpovac said, stretching his arms overhead. "Everything's in top shape."
Maria nodded, wiping her brow. "Looks like it. We made good time."
With their inspection of the agricultural sub-island complete, Xpovac and Black Maria set their sights on the Fishmen sub-island. They arrived in no time, greeted by the eerie calmness of a place that had yet to be inhabited. The borders of Pyraxia remained closed, and the fishmen settlement stood silent—awaiting the day when the country would officially open to all.
Before proceeding, Xpovac and Black Maria retrieved specialized breathing devices from a storage compartment, strapping them around their necks. These devices, products of cutting-edge technology, allowed them to breathe underwater with ease. Fully equipped, the king and queen dove into the island's aquatic depths.
The Fishmen sub-island was a sprawling underwater metropolis, with structures crafted from coral and reinforced with stone, creating a breathtakingly beautiful environment. Glowing marine plants illuminated the underwater pathways, and spacious buildings stood ready for future inhabitants. It took Xpovac and Maria seven long hours to walk through the entire island, inspecting every corner to ensure the facilities were intact and prepared for the eventual influx of fishmen and merfolk.
After surfacing from the final stretch of their inspection, the sky was already beginning to darken. The day had grown long, but Xpovac was determined to check one more sub-island before calling it a night.
"Let's go to the battlegrounds," he said to Maria, who responded with a nod of agreement.
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The battlegrounds sub-island loomed ahead like a colossal arena, sprawling with various training grounds, combat facilities, and weaponry storage. Here, warriors could test their skills and train to their limits, facing opponents and conditions that would prepare them for the harsh realities of the world.
This inspection proved to be the longest of the day. Xpovac and Black Maria spent seven hours testing the equipment, verifying the durability of the training areas, and assessing the safety measures. Each piece of gear and every section of the island had to be scrutinized meticulously, as this was where Pyraxia's finest warriors would hone their skills.
By the time they finished, it was 1 a.m., and exhaustion clung to their bones like a heavy fog. The king and queen teleported back to the castle, eager for a meal, a hot shower, and some well-deserved rest.
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The next day arrived quickly, with sunlight spilling into Xpovac's chambers. After a quick breakfast, he took a call from his grandfather, Garp. The old Marine's gravelly voice came through the receiver, carrying a tone of urgency.
"Xpovac, you need to come to me within the next five hours," Garp said, his words leaving no room for negotiation.
"Alright, I'll be there at 3 p.m.," Xpovac responded, ending the call.
With some time to spare before his meeting, Xpovac decided to seek out his siblings, Ace and Uta. It had been a while since he'd had a bit of fun messing with them, and he could use a distraction before dealing with whatever his grandfather had in store.
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The clock struck 3 p.m., and Xpovac prepared to leave. He called for Mew and asked the Pokémon to teleport him and Lucario to Garp's location. In a flash of blue light, they found themselves in a dimly lit room, the air thick with a sense of tension. Xpovac quickly took in the scene: five old men with white hair stood before him, each with a different physique, exuding an aura of authority and arrogance. Xpovac recognized them instantly as the Five Elders.
Behind him, three chairs were arranged, with Garp and Sengoku seated in two of them. The third chair remained empty, but Xpovac had no intention of taking it. Instead, he summoned a grand throne from his system, placing it beside Garp's seat. He casually sat down, a smirk on his lips.
"Hey, gramps," he greeted Garp before turning his attention to the elders. "So, what do you fossils want with me?"
One of the elders, the shortest and most visibly irritated, began to speak. "We have heard news of your 'newly established kingdom' from Sengoku, and we would like to discuss terms and conditions regarding the country you call Pyraxia."
Xpovac lounged back in his throne, his expression bored as the elder continued listing demands.
"... one of those travel points will be placed in Mary Geoise. On the day of Pyraxia's border opening, three World Nobles will visit and be allowed to do whatever they please. The ruling of the country will be taken away from you and given to a World Noble... All Pokémon will be handed over to us, and any pirates, fishmen, or giants who arrive on opening day will be hunted down or enslaved..."
Before the elder could finish, Mew and Lucario growled in anger. Even Mew, usually a cheerful and gentle creature, radiated fury at the idea of being treated as property.
Xpovac's eyes hardened, his aura intensifying as he sat up straight. "The first term is fine. But as for the second, those three World Nobles will behave themselves, or I'll personally deliver their corpses back to Mary Geoise." He leaned forward, a dangerous smile playing on his lips. "The third term? Not happening. Anyone who tries to take control of Pyraxia will die. As for the Pokémon, anyone attempting to harm or enslave them will be dealt with swiftly."
The elders' expressions darkened as Xpovac continued, his voice firm and unyielding. "My country is a sanctuary where all are welcome. If any of you or your World Nobles try to disrupt that peace, you'll face severe consequences."
He turned to Lucario and gave a nod. The Pokémon lunged at the short elder, ripping off his arm with a savage growl before returning to Xpovac's side. The remaining elders began to prepare to attack, but Xpovac unleashed his aura, pinning them to the ground.
"Mew," he said calmly, "stop the bleeding but make the pain last."
After Mew completed the task, Xpovac summoned Tyranitar, instructing it to guard Garp. "Make sure nothing happens to the old geezer," he chuckled, earning a grumble from Tyranitar.
Before leaving, Xpovac turned to the immobilized elders. "Remember, my borders open in nine months. Warn your 'Imu' that nothing will disrupt that day." With that, Xpovac, Mew, and Lucario vanished, returning to Pyraxia.
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Once back at the castle, Xpovac found Black Maria and recounted the events of the day. Her eyes widened as he detailed the audacity of the Five Elders and the confrontation that had followed.
"Well, my king," she said, her tone playful yet firm, "sounds like you could use some time to unwind. Let's go eat, then I have a surprise for you waiting in our room."
With a chuckle, Xpovac followed his queen, eager to see what awaited him next.
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